The All India Trinamool Congress has written to the Election Commission of India raising serious concerns over repeated disruptions in CCTV surveillance at multiple strong rooms across West Bengal, where EVMs and VVPATs are stored. TMC raises alarm over CCTV failures In a letter dated May 1 to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, the party alleged that CCTV systems at several strong room locations have been going off intermittently, affecting continuous monitoring during sensitive periods. Specific concerns were flagged in Kolkata and Jalpaiguri, along with Gaighata, where camera feeds were reportedly disrupted frequently Party flags multiple locations with disruptions The complaint also mentioned repeated CCTV failures at Haripal Assembly constituency strong room located in Chandannagar Government College, and similar disruptions in Sagardighi (Jangipur Polytechnic College), Rampurhat College, and Ghatal Rabindra Satabarshiki Mahavidyalaya. Concerns raised over strong room monitoring Additionally, instances of irregular monitoring were reported from multiple constituencies including Ausgram, Arambagh, Nalhati, Egra, Salboni, Tamluk, Patashpur, Indus, Harirampur, Kushmandi, Tapan, Balurghat, Raiganj, Islampur, Tufanganj, Jalpaiguri, Maynaguri, Joynagar, Kultali, Baruipur Paschim, Kasba, and Satgachia. Violations of EC surveillance norms The party stated that such interruptions violate EC guidelines mandating 24×7 uninterrupted CCTV surveillance at strong rooms. It warned that any lapse raises serious concerns about the safety and integrity of stored EVMs and could weaken public trust in the electoral process. Demands full footage and accountability TMC has demanded immediate action, including collation of all CCTV disruption instances, access to complete surveillance footage, including downtime logs, restoration of uninterrupted monitoring, and ensuring access for authorised representatives. Warning issued over possible political agitation The party further cautioned that failure to ensure transparency and corrective action could lead to “adverse inference” regarding the integrity of the monitoring process and hinted at possible democratic agitation if concerns are not addressed promptly.
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